Ethel Babcock Nass

Ethel was born in Osborne, Kansas on September 20, 1919 to Frank and Rosa (Henry) Babcock. She was one of four children, two sisters and a brother. The family came to the Yakima area in the late 1930’s. Here, she worked picking hops and doing child care.

On September 12, 1940, Ethel married Melvin Nass, who always called her "Dutch." They moved to the Renton area where Melvin worked for Boeing, and she was a homemaker. While there they had two daughters, Loy and Carol.

The family returned to Yakima in the late 1940’s. Melvin owned his own steam cleaning business for awhile and then worked for Ray Pickens Construction as a operating engineer until his retirement. For many, many years Ethel did home daycare giving her love to many children, especially Valarie, Jon and Crystal.

During the years that her girls were growing up, Ethel was very active in PTA, Campfire Girls, and 4-H. She served as housemother for the State 4-H Fair when it was held at State Fair Park. She continued to be a church camp counselor for many years after her girls were grown. When the girls were in high school, Melvin and Ethel became foster parents. They eventually had five young ladies share their home: Florence, Marquita, Bea, Peal and Cyndy. Some kept in contact with Ethel and Melvin over the years.

After having the last foster girl, Ethel joined Melvin as he worked in construction projects around the state. They made their home in a camp trailer. Around this time Ethel started working for the United States Census Bureau doing special surveys. This job took her all around the state, into prisons, and into some very interesting situations. She was always determined to "find her man."

Melvin and Ethel moved to Selah-Naches road in Selah. After Melvin passed away, she continued to live there until 2007. Ethel moved to Sun Tower for awhile and then moved to Chesterley Meadows where she was living at her passing.

Ethel was a "wee bit famous" as she appeared in a commercial for Yakima Speech and Hearing that was shown on TV for several years.

While living in Selah, Ethel was an election poll worker for some years.

A long-time member of First Baptist Church, Ethel served on a number of boards and was very active in American Baptist Women. She served as the nursery attendant for over 30 years, taking care of several generations of babies and toddlers. She was awarded the "Sunday School Teacher of the Year" award for her service. Utilizing her talent for meal planning and preparation, Ethel cooked dinners for the church for many years.

Ethel enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tatting and sewing. Knitting was a special passion, and she clothed many babies in the area with sweaters, booties, hats and shawls. Particularly appreciated by the new mothers were hooded sweaters that zipped up the back. The last recipient of one of these sweaters was a baby girl born on September 20, 2011, Ethel’s 92nd birthday.

Ethel’s other hobbies were doing "Find the Word" puzzles and Sudoku and reading. She passed her time doing these a lot in recent years and said that it helped to kept her mind sharp. She always had a positive outlook on life and could find the humor in almost any situation.

Melvin, the love of Ethel’s live after Jesus, died in 1996. Also preceding her in death were her parents Frank Babcock and Rosa Curtis, her brother, Wes Babcock and her older sister, Vera Laye.

Survivors include her daughters: Loy Moore (Neely), Moxee and Carol Nass, Yakima: her grandchildren: Diane Davis, Moxee; Chris Heintzman (BJ)Harrah and David Moore, Pendleton; her great grandchildren: Lauren Heintzman, Pullman, Jordan Davis, Los Angeles, and Ben Heintzmen, Harrah. She also survived by her sister Peg Jimenez of Clarkston,Tennessee, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Chesterley Meadows for taking such good care of Ethel over the last several years. She loved living there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Gospel Mission’s Youth Program, Camp Prime Time, Childrens Village or any charity serving children.

Visitation Thursday, Nov. 17th, from 4-8 PM at Keith & Keith 9th Ave. Chapel. Funeral service Friday, Nov. 18th, at 1:00 PM at Keith & Keith 9th Ave. Chapel. Burial to follow at West Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.